Liquid mixing reservoir

Abstract

An apparatus and method for dispensing liquids and/or mixtures of liquids without contamination of starting liquids during the pouring operation, the apparatus comprising a mixing reservoir comprising a drain-back baffle.

1 . An apparatus ( 1 ) for mixing and dispensing liquids comprising a mixing reservoir ( 2 );
 wherein, the mixing reservoir ( 2 ) comprises a drain-back baffle ( 3 );   and a first end of a liquid flow channels communicates with the mixing reservoir ( 2 );   and a first container ( 5 ) comprising an opening ( 6 ), communicates with a second end of the liquid flow channel ( 4 ), and wherein the first container contains a first liquid ( 7 );   and wherein a dispensing outlet ( 8 ) communicates with the mixing reservoir ( 2 );   and an additional liquid inlet opening ( 9 ) communicates with the mixing reservoir ( 2 );   wherein an additional liquid contained in a second container can flow into the mixing reservoir ( 2 ) through the additional liquid inlet ( 9 ) when the apparatus ( 1 ) is in a standing position;   and upon tilting the apparatus ( 1 );   the first liquid ( 7 ) flows into the mixing reservoir ( 2 ) through the liquid flow channel ( 4 ) and the first liquid ( 7 ) and/or an additional liquid and/or a mixture of the first liquid ( 7 ) and the additional liquid can be dispensed through the dispensing outlet ( 8 ) from the mixing reservoir ( 2 );   wherein the mixing reservoir ( 2 ) comprises at least a first side ( 10 ), a second side ( 11 ), and the drain-back baffle ( 3 ), wherein the first side ( 10 ) and the second side ( 11 ) form the basin of the a mixing reservoir ( 2 ), and wherein the second side ( 11 ) comprises the drain-back baffle ( 3 ) and wherein the drain-back baffle is positioned at an angle from about 30° to about 90° relative to the first side ( 10 ).   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the drain-back baffle is positioned at an angle from about 40° to about 80° relative to the first side ( 10 ) 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising at least three additional liquid inlet openings. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first container ( 5 ) is removable from the apparatus ( 1 ). 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus ( 1 ) comprises a first container ( 5 ) comprising an opening ( 6 ) and second container comprising an second opening, preferably a first container comprising an opening, a second container comprising a second opening and a third container comprising a third opening, more preferably a first container comprising an opening, a second container comprising a second opening, a third container comprising a third opening and a fourth container comprising a fourth opening. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the containers are removable from the apparatus ( 1 ). 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a cap ( 14 ) fits into the dispensing outlet ( 8 ) and blocks the flow of liquid into and out of the additional liquid inlet opening ( 9 ). 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing outlet ( 8 ) comprises a pouring spout. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus ( 1 ) of  claim 8 , wherein the pouring spout is at an angle relative to the second side ( 11 ) of the mixing reservoir ( 2 ) greater than the angle of the first side ( 10 ) of the mixing reservoir ( 2 ) relative to the second side ( 11 ) of the mixing reservoir ( 2 ). 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus ( 1 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing outlet ( 8 ) further comprises a one-way valve means. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus ( 1 ) of any  claim 1 , wherein the drain-back baffle ( 3 ) further comprises a one-way valve means. 
     
     
         12 . A method for mixing and dispensing a first liquid ( 7 ) and/or an additional liquid and/or a mixture of the first liquid ( 7 ) and the additional liquid from an apparatus ( 1 ) described in  claim 1 , comprising the steps of;
 Dispensing from a second container, an additional liquid into the mixing reservoir ( 2 ) through the additional liquid inlet opening ( 9 );   Tilting the apparatus ( 1 ) at an angle such that the first liquid ( 7 ) flows from the first container ( 5 ) into the mixing reservoir ( 2 ) comprising the drain-back baffle ( 3 );   Maintaining the tilting angle such that, a desired volume of the first liquid ( 7 ) and/or the additional liquid and/or a mixture of the first liquid ( 7 ) and the additional liquid is dispensed out of the dispensing outlet ( 8 );   Decreasing the tilting angle to prevent any further liquid from being dispensed from the apparatus ( 1 );   Further decreasing the tilting angle to return the apparatus ( 1 ) to the resting position.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising the step of decreasing the tilting angle to prevent any more of the first liquid ( 7 ) from flowing into the mixing reservoir ( 2 ), but still allowing any remaining first liquid and/or additional liquid in the mixing reservoir ( 2 ) to be dispensed out of the dispensing outlet ( 8 ).